Former state rep recalled for principles, passion

Thursday

Jul 10, 2014 at 8:25 AMJul 10, 2014 at 8:26 AM

By William J. Dowdwdowd@wickedlocal.com

Former Marblehead state Rep. Douglas Petersen, who over his career in public service steadfastly supported progressive social and environmental causes in an era when it was less popular to do so, died Tuesday, July 1. He was 66.Private funeral services were held over the weekend, according to his obituary, which appears on Page B11 of this week’s Reporter. "Doug Petersen was at the forefront of some important issues at junctures of time that required some political guts to take a stand against the prevailing status quo,” said Anna Waclawiczek, his longtime staff member. “Doug spoke out and remained firm in his convictions."Many who knew him personally and professionally describe him as an unwavering, principled proponent of same-sex marriage, women’s rights, campaign-finance reform and sustainable environmental practices.According to his obituary, Petersen realized a “long-held aspiration” when he was elected in November 1990 to represent the 8th Essex District, which encompasses Marblehead, Swampscott and two precincts in Lynn. He would serve until 2007.A committed environmentalist, he was particularly proud of his work and service on the Joint Committee for the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, which he served as vice chairman of for two years before being appointed chairman of for four years, according to his colleague, state Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn.McGee admired Petersen’s “passion,” saying it was a privilege to witness while working together on policies that benefited their shared Marblehead, Swampscott and Lynn constituents.“I had a chance to work with him in many capacities, and we had a great relationship working together on important legislation,” McGee said. “He believed in the Democratic Party’s values and put them into action.”He added, “He will be missed.”While on the Natural Resources committee, Petersen defeated an initiative by milk processors to do away with the New England Dairy Compact, increased technical assistance to farmers and wrote legislation keeping harmful pesticides far from educational facilities in which children learned. Over his 17-year legislative career, he sponsored or co-sponsored over 250 bills.In 2007, he left the Legislature when Gov. Deval Patrick appointed him commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, which he led until 2009.“Doug's passing is a shocking loss. He was an early supporter in politics and a friend in the Legislature,” Patrick said. “As commissioner, Doug was a tireless advocate for Massachusetts farmers. My heart goes out to his family.”The appointment didn’t come without criticism, as some surmised that Patrick was rewarding Petersen for being an early supporter in a primary field that featured more entrenched, established Democrats.“He earned that appointment and welcomed the opportunity,” Marblehead Democratic Town Committee Chairman Marilyn Segal said adamantly.And he was enthusiastic about the job, especially about the opportunity to help farmers during a time of transition for their industry.“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in the Patrick administration in this important role,” Petersen said when he was appointed. “ I look forward to helping the agricultural industry and the communities it supports thrive in the 21st century.” Mary Jordan, director of the Division of Agricultural Markets for the MDAR, said when Petersen entered the department as head he “admitted he didn’t have a lot of knowledge about agriculture” but soaked up as much as he could, listening attentively to people who knew more than him.“When I think about Commissioner Petersen’s heading the department, I remember him being a real cheerleader for Massachusetts’ agricultural industry,” said Jordan, who reported directly to Petersen. “He was passionate about the industry, people in the department and new initiatives, particularly regional ones.”Petersen’s departure from the Legislature led to a 2007 special election in which current state Rep. Lori Ehrlich was chosen to succeed Petersen. Ehrlich’s environmental stewardship has built on a foundation laid by Petersen and his predecessor, Lawrence Alexander.“Doug was a good man with a kind heart,” said Ehrlich. “He courageously stood up for equality, good governance and the environment, often at the peril of his own advancement.”Segal elaborated on Ehrlich’s “peril” notion, describing a contentious moment when former House speaker Thomas Finneran, whom she called a “conservative Democrat” who wielded a “very heavy thumb” during his tenure, stripped Petersen of his chairmanship on the committee he enjoyed leading “because Petersen wouldn’t vote the way Finneran wanted him to vote on an issue that would have compromised his beliefs,” Segal said. “Petersen always voted with a conscience.”As Frank Yetter, Petersen’s former campaign manager wrote in a tribute for the Reporter, “Come to Doug looking for patronage, a handout or, as Tom Finneran did, with a quid-pro-quo promise of power in exchange for a modest tweaking of his principles, and you’d be sent packing.”Yetter explained that episodes like the one with Finneran would stoke Petersen’s passion for his role.“The man had a way with words that could curdle milk from 100 yards off,” Yetter wrote, adding, however, that Petersen quickly moved on from the Speaker’s slight.Former Marblehead town clerk and chairman of the Board of Selectmen Tom McNulty was an early Petersen backer. He called Petersen an avid supporter of his constituents, a thoughtful public servant and a benevolent soul.“When I first met him in 1990, I thought, ‘This is a man who should be in the state Legislature,’”said McNulty.McNulty added, “He was someone who was always in the community when he got into office, made himself available and was what I considered to be one damned good state representative.”